A Stephen Minister shows compassion and gives encouragement, and intercedes for their care receivers.

A Stephen Minister has a one-on-one Christian caring relationship with a care receiver during the time of a life-crisis such as a divorce, job loss, serious illness, or another type of major life transition.

SM multiply pastoral ministry by providing high-quality Christian care to those in a life-crisis: divorce, job loss, serious illness, or another major life transition.

What does a Stephen Minister do?

A Stephen Minister is called to provide confidential Christ-centered care for a care receiver.

A Stephen Minister devotes time (serving a minimum of 2 years) and energy to this ministry.

He or she serves wholeheartedly with their personal presence, prayer, and faith in the Holy Spirit in regular meetings with the Care Receiver.

A Stephen Minister participates in meaningful ministry that makes a real difference in another person's life.

Many Stephen Ministers say that they receive much more from the caring relationship with their care receiver than they give.

How are Stephen Ministers trained for this Ministry?

A Stephen Minister completes 50 hours of training (weekly for 2-3 hours in length) before ever meeting with a care receiver. He or she learns about listening, assertiveness, confidentiality, and other aspects of care giving.

After completing the initial training, there are Stephen Ministry meetings 2 evenings a month SM's also benefit from the Continuing Education on topics related to care-giving skills.

SM and their care receiver are always the same gender.

When will the next training opportunity start for new Stephen Ministers?

At Church of the Redeemer we host information meetings in August and early September of each year. Then interviews of candidates for Stephen Minister are held later in September.

Training is expected to begin in October of each year and conclude when 50 hours of training (conducted weekly for about 3 hours) have been completed in approximately in March of the following year. There is a break in training for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.

This training is done before a Stephen Minister ever meets with a care receiver.

Is Church of the Redeemer providing Stephen Ministers to those in need?